Damage is Not Only to the Body: Can Early Consumption of Junk Food Lead to Permanent Brain Damage?

It’s a well-known fact that fast food or junk food type of foods have more harm than good for human health. Recent studies indicate that these foods, rich in processed ingredients, saturated fats, and simple sugars, may cause cognitive impairments when consumed at an early age. Research data suggests that early consumption of junk food can lead to permanent brain damage.

Here are the details…

Source: Science Direct

The research discussed in the article published by Science Direct, titled ‘Brain, Behavior, and Immunity,’ suggests that excessive consumption of junk food at an early age can cause permanent brain damage.

The study aimed to observe the effects of consuming a Western diet rich in processed foods, saturated fats, and simple sugars during early life stages on cognitive functions.

The research focused particularly on disruptions in hippocampus (HPC)-dependent memory processes, aiming to reveal how early consumption of a Western diet affects acetylcholine signaling in the hippocampus.

During the study, experimental groups were provided with ad libitum access to various high-fat and high-sugar cafeteria-style diets during early life stages, while control groups received a standard healthy diet. Behavioral and metabolic assessments were conducted, with intervention with a healthy diet in adulthood. Remarkable findings and results were obtained.

According to the research, subjects provided with ad libitum access to various high-fat and high-sugar cafeteria-style diets displayed contextual episodic memory impairments dependent on the hippocampus, despite intervention with a healthy diet.

When examining protein levels related to acetylcholine (ACh) signaling in the hippocampus, it was observed that vesicular ACh transporter levels were low in the dorsal hippocampus of cafeteria diet-fed rats. Additionally, a strong relationship between ACh release and memory performance was identified.

The data obtained from the research indicate that the Western diet consumed at an early age leaves permanent effects on ACh signaling, particularly in the hippocampal region, leading to long-term impairments in memory. Furthermore, it emphasizes the evaluation of pharmacological targets associated with ACh signaling as potential treatment methods for diet-induced cognitive impairments.

Early consumption of fast food and junk food: Leading to permanent memory problems!

The damage is caused by the sugars and saturated fats used, which disrupt an important neurotransmitter related to memory in animals’ and humans’ brains, “acetylcholine.”

Neuroscientist Scott Kanoski from the University of Southern California also emphasizes that most recent studies support these findings. Kanoski states in his explanation, ‘Not only this article, but some recent studies of ours also found that growing up on a junk food diet leads to enduring memory impairments.’

Alzheimer’s risk: Recent studies have shown that unhealthy, processed food-based diets lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people’s later lives.

Since acetylcholine plays a role in memory and learning and is depleted in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers behind this latest study wondered what eating sugary, fatty foods might mean in the long run for young people.

It weakens brain appetite control: It can change the brain’s perception of fullness and satisfaction!

Similar research data suggests that eating certain junk foods weakens the brain’s appetite control and that obesity may change people’s perception of fullness and satisfaction after consuming high-sugar and high-fat foods.